Correio Braziliense lists 10 reasons for Brazil’s knockout

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After Brazil was eliminated from the 2018 FIFA World Cup by losing 1-2 to Belgium at the Kazan Arena on Friday, the country’s Correio Braziliense listed 10 reasons for why their team failed to advance to the semi-finals in Russia.

Carlos Casimiro was irreplaceable in the system of manager Tite. Brazil has never found a qualified substitute for Casimiro. Tite betted on Fernandinho who has proved with his performances that he’s not capable of playing the role.

Daniel Alves failed to make it to Russia thanks to his injury. As the right back, Alves has been a perfect combination with Willian. His absence has ruined Brazil’s chemistry in the area. Brazil did not have much time to find and build another combination while neither Danilo nor Fagner was good enough to replace Alves.

Carlos Casimiro was irreplaceable in the system of manager Tite. /VCG Photo

No.9 Gabriel Jesus disappeared from the field. He has scored nothing in all the five matches he played for his country. Though Roberto Firmino did a good job when he was sent from the bench to the field during the match against Mexico, his performance did not earn enough trust from Tite.

Brazil were terrible at defending against air strike. Correio Braziliense has posted five articles as to why the team lost two goals to aerial strikes out of the total three goals their opponents scored at this World Cup.

Gabriel Jesus #9 has lost Tite's trust after his performances in the field. /VCG Photo

Injuries have dragged Brazil into trouble. During the preparation and the tournament, six of the country’s players have spent time with medical staff. Correio Braziliense owed this to the heavy training arranged by Tite who started to reduce it after realizing that players kept getting hurt.

Brazil failed to protect the area behind Marcelo. As one of the world’s best left backs, Marcelo made great contributions to the team’s offense. Meanwhile, his teammates must take care of the area he left. It’s not easy and Brazil, apparently, did not find a solution when Kevin de Bruyne killed the match for Belgium.

Neymar has failed to meet people's expectations. /VCG Photo

Neymar was not the player for key matches. Having played 10 World Cup matches, Neymar has barely proved himself in the field. He is the most talented and probably the best player today’s Brazil has, but he has not made enough contributions.

Brazil lacked a powerful central forward. When your team is in an emergency, you will need to pass the ball to a powerful CF in the penalty area to solve the problem. Luan Vieira from Gremio would have been a good choice if Tite had recruited him.

When Marcelo was in the offense, Brazil failed to protect his back. /VCG Photo

Plan B did fail. As Tite’s backup plan for an emergency, the four-four-two format of Brazil brought a win against Mexico in the round of 16. That was not replicated when Firmino and Douglas Costa were sent to the field during the match against Belgium.

The Brazilian Football Association (CBF) was to blame. Brazil started to prepare for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after they lost 1-7 and 0-3 respectively to Germany and Netherlands at home in 2014. However, CBF wasted two years with Dunga and left Tite only two years to start from zero.